Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle remained in a St. Louis hospital Wednesday afternoon though he was expected to fly home to San Jose later in the day for further medical evaluation.

The team did not release any details of his condition but in an exchange of texts Boyle sounded optimistic after being knocked unconscious by an illegal check from behind during the first period of Tuesday night's 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

"I'm OK. That was scary" Boyle texted. "Hopefully the symptoms will be very minor if any going forward."

Boyle was prone on the ice for several minutes before being lifted onto a stretcher after being driven face-first into the top of the boards by Blues forward Maxim Lapierre who is likely to face supplemental discipline from the NHL for the hit.

The team had been scheduled to practice Wednesday at a suburban Dallas rink but coach Todd McLellan decided that a day off would be more valuable as both a physical and mental break.